coloratura
noun
col·or·a·tu·ra
ˌkə-lə-rə-ˈtu̇r-ə 
-ˈtyu̇r-
often attributive
1
: elaborate embellishment in vocal music
broadly
: music with ornate figuration
2
: a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura
Examples of coloratura in a Sentence
a performance without much coloratura
Recent Examples on the Web
With samples and production textures tailor-made for her coloratura, Beyoncé reimagines yesteryear dance grooves and launches them well into the future.
—
Jaelani Turner-Williams, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
A great deal of the plot was devoted to the Phantom’s attempts to replace Carlotta, a fussy coloratura soprano with a thick Italian accent, with his beloved Christine.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
My voice is a light lyric soprano, with a bit of coloratura.
—New York Times, 27 May 2022
But her voice — and her rapid-fire coloratura — are remarkably well preserved, and her enthusiasm is irresistible.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022
Is agency merely singing like a bird, with mind-bending coloratura?
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022
And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.
—Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
Known for long phrases with boundless colors, emotions and dynamics, Rae’s coloratura soared effortlessly with a glittery vibrato, especially in the Richard Strauss and Fanny Mendelssohn pieces.
—Grace Jean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2019
His agility might be compared to that of a coloratura soprano.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2020
Jaelani Turner-Williams, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
A great deal of the plot was devoted to the Phantom’s attempts to replace Carlotta, a fussy coloratura soprano with a thick Italian accent, with his beloved Christine.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
My voice is a light lyric soprano, with a bit of coloratura.
—New York Times, 27 May 2022
But her voice — and her rapid-fire coloratura — are remarkably well preserved, and her enthusiasm is irresistible.
—Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2022
Is agency merely singing like a bird, with mind-bending coloratura?
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2022
And Kyaunnee Richardson is especially memorable with a beautifully playful coloratura and a winning way with a snarky aside.
—Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 18 Dec. 2020
Known for long phrases with boundless colors, emotions and dynamics, Rae’s coloratura soared effortlessly with a glittery vibrato, especially in the Richard Strauss and Fanny Mendelssohn pieces.
—Grace Jean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2019
His agility might be compared to that of a coloratura soprano.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coloratura.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near coloratura
Cite this Entry
“Coloratura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloratura. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share